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A24
commentary
Guardian www.guardian.co.tt Wednesday, October 28, 2015
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18
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"Sticks and stones will
break your bones, but
words will never harm
you." While that ages-old adage
may not be as popular as it once
was, those of my generation may
remember a time when it was
the only defence against the ver-
bal-abuse that we suffered as
children. For those of us who
were on the receiving end, it
was the panacea our parents
used in hopes that it would steel
us against such assaults.
As a former recipient of both,
the taunts and the speeches, I
remember very clearly that the
sentiment did absolutely nothing
to ease that pain. For the truth,
ironically enough, is that words
can inflict emotional wounds,
and leave scars that never fully
heal.
Bullying is any deliberate act
that results in the torment of an
individual. I doubt there is any-
one who can t recall being a vic-
tim at some point in their lives.
And though we may have writ-
ten it off as "one of those things
you just have to deal with dur-
ing the formative years," it
nonetheless remains a terrible
and unnecessary experience. But
an awful truth however is that
bullies come in all ages, and
their methods of intimidation
are just as varied. Recently here
in T&T, we witnessed two very
different situations that remind-
ed us of that fact.
The first occurred a couple of
weeks ago during a sitting of
our parliament. While the cross-
talk picong has been a long-
accepted part of our politics, a
Government minister sunk to a
new low when he made tactful-
ly-veiled homophobic comments
that were aimed at a particular
member of the Opposition.
Not only was it met with
laughs of approval from within
the chamber, but when the ill-
conceived humour received neg-
ative backlash from the public, a
weak apology was all he could
offer in reconciliation.
What sort of leadership are we
to expect from politicians who
have resorted to immature
name-calling while they are see-
ing about the people s business?
In a country where there is
already the perception of divi-
siveness, when our leaders don t
respect each other, it doesn t
send a positive message for the
rest of the population to follow.
The other incident involved
the theatrics of pageant regicide,
where the local Miss World
organisation unceremoniously
"dethroned" the reigning title
holder and awarded it to the
runner-up. Though this was
done in accordance with the
competition s rules, a statement
from the producers cited
unspecified "developments" for
their decision.
In that single move, the pro-
moters managed to damage the
reputation of the young lady in
question. For in a country where
people love to talk, the absence
of an explanation cast aspersions
on the actions and character of
the original winner. And if it
leads to a scandal, the replace-
ment may not escape unscathed
either, especially if she is
believed to be an undeserving
successor.
Unfortunately, bullying is not
restricted to the confines of the
schoolyard and the phase of
youth. Many adults know all too
well that the most insidious per-
petrators can even be their own
peers, be they colleagues in the
workplace or people in positions
of authority. And despite efforts
to end the practice, it remains
au currant, and has proven itself
capable of adapting to new
mediums.
So how do we avoid being a
target, especially when we can t
expect mummy and daddy to
come and protect us? As clichéd
as it sounds, it s the same advice
our parents would have given
us---we stand up for ourselves.
Instead of sulking away, the
before-mentioned MP and the
disqualified Miss T&T challenged
the forces arrayed against them.
Theirs is an example we all must
follow. Bullies prey on those they
believe are incapable of defend-
ing themselves. To prove other-
wise, denies them of any and all
sense of satisfaction. What mat-
ters more is not what others
may think about us, but how we
feel about ourselves.
In the end, I am reminded of
the golden rule, that we should
always treat others as we would
like to be treated.
SCARS THAT
NEVER FULLY HEAL
RYAN HADEED
ryanhadeed@gmail.com
Calypso History Month, October, is
coming to an end, and there has been a
noticeable absence of calypso history
printed in the media, in this here "Land
of Calypso." Many individuals have con-
tributed to the art form that is often re-
ferred to as the voice of the people.
Lest we forget, let us recognise and
celebrate the names of the pioneering
calypsonians who have contributed to
nation-building through their chosen art
form. Since the first singing in English of
a calypso by Norman Le Blanc at the
turn of the last century, and the first
English recording of a calypso in 1914 by
calypsonian Iron Duke (Julian
Whiterose) with "Iron Duke in the Land,"
the following are the pioneers who have
paved the way for others to follow:
The early pioneers, up to the
mid-1950s:
Atilla the Hun (Raymond
Quevedo/1892-1962); Executor (Phillip
Garcia/1880-1952); Houdini (Wilmoth
Hendricks/1885-1973); Railway Douglas
(Walter "Chieftain" Douglas/1895-1971)
who formed the first calypso tent in
1921 called the Railway Douglas Tent;
Lord Caresser (Rufus Callender/1910-
1976); Growler (Errol Duke/singer in the
1930s and 40s); Roaring Lion (Raphael
de Leon/1908-1999); Duke of Iron (Cecil
Anderson/1906-1968); Lord Invader (Ru-
pert Grant/1914-1961); King Radio (Nor-
man Spann/started singing in the early
1930s); Growling Tiger (Neville Mar-
cano/1916-1993); Lady Trinidad (Thelma
Lane/1914-1999), the first female calyp-
sonian to sing in a tent and the first to
record a calypso; Spoiler (Theophilus
Phillip/1926-1960); Lord Pretender
(Aldric Farrell/1917-2002); Lord Kitch-
ener (Aldwyn Roberts/1922-2000).
Other notable calypsonians of the era:
Cristo/Christopher Laidlow, Viper/Roder-
ick Lewis, Macbeth the Great/Patrick
McDonald, Gorilla/Charles Grant, De-
stroyer/Donald Glasgow, Ziegfield/Percy
Simon, Killer/Cephas Alexander, Sir
Galba/George McSween, Small Island
Pride/Theo Woods, Gibraltar/Sidney
Benjamin, Dictator/Kenny St. Bernard,
Spitfire/Carlton Gumbs.
Among the later giants of calypso (in
the 1950s and 60s):
Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts/1922-
2000) who transcended the 40s and
earlier 50s; Mighty Terror (Fitzgerald
Henry/1921-2007); Lord Melody (Fitzroy
Alexander/1926-1988); Mighty Sparrow
(Slinger Francisco/1935- ); Lord Blakie
(Carlton Joseph/1932-2005); Mighty
Bomber (Clifton Ryan/1928- ); Lord Nel-
son (Robert Nelson/1930- ).
Other pioneers:
Lord Shorty/Ras Shorty I (Garfield
Blackman/1941-2000), soca pioneer;
Sundar Popo (1943-2000),
chutney/chutney soca pioneer; Crazy
(Edwin Ayoung/1944- ), parang soca pi-
oneer.
Sources of Information: Ron Emrit's
www.bestoftrinidad.com/calypso.html;
George Maharaj's 2 books The Roots of
Calypso, Vols. 1& 2; www.safaripublica-
tions.com/firstcitizenstt/heroespro-
filestt/
Nasser Khan,
Diego Martin
Our pioneering calypsonians
...lest we forget
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Send by email to: letters@guardian.co.tt
Kamla Persad-Bissessar has started
her campaign by pleading with the mem-
bers of the UNC to not mash up the
party. This has set the tone for what will
indeed be a heated battle.
Kamla seems to no longer have the
support of party stalwarts Dr Fuad Khan,
Tim Gopeesingh and Roodal Moonilal
who previously praised her leadership.
By her appeal to members one can infer
that there is a new sheriff in town.
After losing five elections with her at
the helm it is expected that members
would have serious concerns about
Kamla's leadership. This is propelled by
the party's refusal to have internal elec-
tions. However, it is amazing to hear
these UNC politicians change from prais-
ing Kamla in September to rebuking her
in October.
Some of the newer members of the
UNC like Glenn Ramadharsingh, Dr David
Lee and Clifton De Coteau continue to
support Mrs Persad-Bissessar.
Basdeo Panday, as founder of the
UNC, has openly expressed his dissatis-
faction with Persad-Bissessar in the
past. His daughter Mikela Panday has
been making moves towards the top but
with no significant strides thus far.
It looks like the public is in store for
some political bacchanal with the UNC
internal elections. While this pot bubbles
the local government by-elections for
two seats are also on the way, running
side by side. UNC elections on December
5 and local by-elections on December 7.
Martin Huggins,
Arima
Don't mash up the UNC